And only a few hours passed after the agreement was reached before the first NFL player announced he would opt out of the 2020 season.
MORE: Everything to know about 2020 training camps
That the first NFL player to opt out of his 2020 contract doubles as a medical doctor is probably telling. Said Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif in his announcement: “Being at the front line during this offseason has given me a different perspective on this pandemic and the stress it puts on individuals and our healthcare system. I cannot allow myself to potentially transmit the virus to our communities simply to play the sport I love. If I am to take risks, I will do it caring for patients.”
The NFL season opt-out rules were simple. Anybody was free to decide not to play in 2020, and the contracts for all players who opted out will toll to 2021.
NFL players who opted out for 2020 also will receive salary advances or stipends. Those who opted out for medical reasons because they qualified as high risk regarding COVID-19 will receive a $350,000 stipend for the season, and those who opt out voluntarily will receive a $150,000 salary advance for the season. (Undrafted rookies who opt out voluntarily are not eligible to earn the $150,000 stipend.)
So Duvernay-Tardif, for example, will get the $150,000 salary advance since he opted out voluntarily, and his 2020 contract will toll to 2021. He was scheduled to earn $2.75 million this season, so he’ll earn that (minus the $150,000) next year.
MORE: Complete NFL training camp schedule for 2020
July 28 marked the latest training camp reporting date for all veteran players, and camps this year will feature a longer-than-normal acclimation period before fully padded practices begin Aug. 17. The 2020 NFL preseason was canceled, but the regular season is still scheduled to begin Thursday, Sept. 10 when the Chiefs host the Texans.
Players had until 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 6 to decide whether to opt out of the 2020 season and earn the stipends/contract tolling.
Below is the complete, team-by-team list of players who decided to do just that.
NFL players opting out of 2020 season
(The following list is compiled from various media reports.)
Arizona Cardinals
Marcus Gilbert, OT
Atlanta Falcons
-
Baltimore Ravens
Andre Smith, OT De’Anthony Thomas, WR
Buffalo Bills
E. J. Gaines, CB Star Lotulelei, DT
Carolina Panthers
Christian Miller, OLB Jordan Mack, LB
Cincinnati Bengals
Isaiah Prince, OT Josh Tupou, DT
Chicago Bears
Jordan Lucas, S Eddie Goldman, DT
Cleveland Browns
Malcolm Pridgeon, G Colby Gossett, G Andrew Billings, DT Drew Forbes, G Drake Dorbeck, OT
Dallas Cowboys
Jamize Olawale, FB Stephen Guidry, WR Maurice Canady, CB
Denver Broncos
Ja’Wuan James, OT Kyle Peko, DT
Detroit Lions
Russell Bodine, C Geronimo Allison, WR John Atkins, DT
Green Bay Packers
Devin Funchess, WR
Houston Texans
Eddie Vanderdoes, DT
Indianapolis Colts
Marvell Tell, CB Rolan Milligan, S Skai Moore, LB
Kansas City Chiefs
Lucas Niang, OT Damien Williams, RB Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, G
Las Vegas Raiders
Ukeme Eligwe, LB D. J. Killings, DB Jeremiah Valoaga, DE
Los Angeles Chargers
-
Los Angeles Rams
Chandler Brewer, OT
Jacksonville Jaguars
Rashaan Melvin, CB Lerentee McCray, DE/LB Al Woods, DT
Miami Dolphins
Albert Wilson, WR Allen Hurns, WR
Minnesota Vikings
Michael Pierce, DT
New England Patriots
Matt LaCosse, TE Marqise Lee, WR Patrick Chung, S Dont’a Hightower, LB Brandon Bolden, RB Marcus Cannon, OT Danny Vitale, FB Najee Toran, OL
New Orleans Saints
Cole Wick, TE Jason Vander Laan, TE
New York Giants
Sam Beal, CB Da’Mari Scott, WR Nate Solder, LT
New York Jets
Josh Doctson, WR C. J. Mosley, LB Leo Koloamatangi, OL
Philadelphia Eagles
Marquise Goodwin, WR
San Francisco 49ers
Shon Coleman, OL Travis Benjamin, WR
Seattle Seahawks
Chance Warmack, G
Pittsburgh Steelers
-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Brad Seaton, OT
Tennessee Titans
Anthony McKinney, OL
Washington Football Team
Josh Harvey-Clemons, LB Caleb Brantley, DL
Free agents
Larry Warford, G
